FEUDAL WARLORD\'S TALISMAN: AN OUTSTANDING JAPANESE SUNNOBI TANTO BY GISUKE, MUROMACHI PERIODDESCRIPTION OVERVIEW
This highly historic and formidable Japanese Sunnobi Tanto stands as an elite battlefield sword from the Muromachi Period (1336–1573), a tumultuous era marked by intense clan warfare and the rise of the Sengoku Jidai (Warring States Period). Hand-forged from traditional Water Quenched Tamahagane Steel, this large scale combat dagger is signed on the tang by the Master Swordsmith Gisuke of the renowned Shimada School. The blade features a Futatsubi style Horimono chiseled directly into the steel and arrives resting in pristine shirasaya (plain wooden storage mounts). Exhibiting a stellar state of professional polish that vividly highlights its ancient, active metallurgy, this fine piece represents a gallery grade candidate for advanced weapons archives, Institutions, Collections of fine East Asian Art, and discerning collectors of Samurai History.SPECIFICATIONS AND MEASUREMENTS
Form: Sunnobi Tanto (Oversized, lengthened short sword architecture bordering a small Wakizashi)
Cutting Edge Length: 12 Inches
Total Length (Tip to Top of Tang): 16 Inches
Total Length (With Tsuka Mounted): 17 1/2 Inches
Total Length (Resting inside Shirasaya): 18 1/2 Inches
Tang Structure: Original, unaltered nakago signed Gisuke (義助). It features two (2) historical peg holes (mekugi-ana), indicating the blade was highly prized and re-mounted over its centuries of service to accommodate changing armor styles. The traditional bamboo mounting peg fits securely, anchoring the hilt flawlessly.THE BLADE, METALLURGY, AND ACTIVE HAMON
Forged with superior Old World Craftsmanship during the height of Feudal Japan\'s Civil Wars, this blade was engineered for absolute mechanical survival. The steel exhibits a robust cross-section built to withstand severe combat impact, showcasing a beautiful, tightly knit grain structure brought forward by a magnificent, mirror-like museum polish.The tempering line reveals an exceptional Gunome Hamon, displaying a frosty, cloud-like billowing wave pattern overflowing with visible crystalline activity (nie and nioi). This wide, active temper remains boldly defined as it sweeps cleanly through the kissaki (tip), forming a controlled boshi that reflects the supreme Fire & Water Mastery of the Shimada forge.THE SACRED FUTATSUBI HORIMONO CARVING
A premier highlight of this blade is the highly sophisticated, crisp dual fuller grooves chiseled along the upper section of the steel. While serving as a full-length groove (bo-hi), it is executed in the elite Futatsubi configuration, where parallel grooves converge seamlessly into a stylized, pointed arrowhead apex.In traditional Japanese swordcraft, all such chiseled work is categorized under the umbrella of horimono (彫物). This specific pointed layout functions as a sacred, minimalist abstraction of the Suken the votive double-edged sword belonging to Fudo Myoo, the Buddhist Deity of Immovable Wisdom and Divine Protection. This carving served a brilliant dual purpose: It was decorative while simultaneously serving as a spiritual shield for the warrior on the battlefield.HISTORICAL CONTEXT: THE SHIMADA SCHOOL GISUKE LINEAGE
The signature on the tang indexes this weapon to the famous Gisuke lineage of the Shimada School (島田派), based in Suruga Province. Arising to immense prominence during the mid to late Muromachi Period, the Shimada Smiths were highly favored and patronized by the most powerful Warlords of the Sengoku Era, including the legendary Takeda and Imagawa Clans. Especially known for producing weapons of terrifying cutting efficiency and resilient construction, a Gisuke lineage blade from this era is a nice prize among specialized collectors.
CONDITION REPORT AND COLLECTOR\'S NOTE
Recently acquired from a private estate collection and presented exactly as discovered, this scarce Muromachi masterpiece remains in stellar condition for its Multi-Century age. The cutting edge remains flawless, the steel has zero fatal flaws, and the expansive polish allows the collector to observe every nuance of the active, wavy hamon and chiseled horimono without distortion. Free of any modern modifications, this imposing Sunnobi Tanto provides an extraordinary window into the apex of Feudal Japanese Warfare. All inquiries should be finalized prior to acquisition. RARE
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- If you purchase multiple items please wait for a combined invoice before paying.- Please review all photos for details regarding the condition of the item listed - further condition information will be included in the listing as is relevant, if you need additional photographs or have questions regarding the condition please do not hesitate to ask.- Payment is due within 3 business days after the close of the sale- New ers (10 or less response) must contact me prior to offerding; otherwise offers will be cancelled.- I describe all items to the best of my ability - please do not hesitate to ask any and all questions prior to the close of the listing.- If for any reason you do not feel you can leave perfect positive response please immediately contact me so that I may have the opportunity to resolve the matter.- Mistakes very rarely occur - however if one does please rest assured that it will be corrected.- International Buyers are Welcome! Please contact me if you have any question regarding shipping costs.- All packages are shipped USPS based on the dimensions, weight, & service - there is a $1.00 handling fee added to all packages to cover packing materials.- I generally ship within the stated handling time but this may not always be possible; if for some reason your package is going to be delayed I will immediately inform you and give you a full refund on shipping.
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